STRATEGY
At its core, Super Texas Hold'em™ is a bet-sizing game, and one meant to be played aggressively. Under theoretically optimal play, the player averages 7.2 units wagered per hand, with a minuscule adj. house advantage of 0.38% per unit wagered, making Super Texas Hold'em™ both one of the highest-action and lowest edge casino poker games ever devised.
Under theoretically optimal play, it is correct to see the flop 100% of the time, max-betting (3x) pre-flop on 49.6% of hands, min-betting (1x) the rest of the time. It is also correct to max-bet (5x) the flop on 46.0% of hands, min-bet (1x) another 46.0% and fold the flop only on 8.0% of hands.
So in contrast to game like Three Card Poker, the game here is not to decide whether to play or fold -- you are going to play everything pre-flop, and showdown all but the crappiest hands. Rather, the game here is to maximize the value of your stronger hands.
All things considered, the basics of strategy are relatively simple: With just a handful of strategy rules, the player can get to an adj. house advantage of about 1.1% per unit wagered -- roughly on par with baccarat -- even without folding; thus, if you can find a few correct folds on the flop, you should be able to get closer to the theoretically optimal figure. The rub is that while the pre-flop strategy is perfectly solved, the flop strategy is not, and so exactly how close you can get to optimal is unclear.
That said, the strategy for Super Texas Hold'em™ should be viewed within the context of two key factors:
All of which means you need to make sure you bet the crap out of your good hands, and you need to have a completely hopeless hand on the flop to fold.
Pre-Flop
The pre-flop strategy is perfectly solved. Essentially, you should be betting the max (3x) with the top half of hands (49.6% to be exact), and min-betting (1x) everything else.
It is never correct to fold.
1. Max-bet (3x) pre-flop with:
In English, that's any pair, any ace, any king, any suited queen, Q5-offsuit or better, J6-suited or better, J8-offsuit or better, T7-suited or better, T9-offsuit, and 98-suited.
2. Min-bet (1x) everything else.
Optimal Betting Frequencies: Pre-flop
Max-bet (3x): 49.6%
Min-bet (1x): 50.4%
Fold: Never
Betting the Flop
In contrast to the pre-flop strategy, the flop strategy is not perfectly solved. The line between max-betting (5x) and min-betting (2x) is reasonably well defined (as in not perfect but likely in the general ballpark), while the line between folding and min-betting (2x) is not (there's a lot of gray area).
Here are a few guidelines:
1. Max-Bet (5x) the flop if you catch any piece of the flop (bottom pair or better) or with a big draw. Big draws include:
2. Min-bet (2x) most anything else, meaning all but the most hopeless hands. This includes underpairs (e.g. 22 on a K-9-3 flop).
3. If you bet 3x pre-flop, you should never fold on the flop.
The above strategy is enough to get you down to a house edge of 1.1% per unit wagered, even if you never folded. And so, theoretically, you can get a bit closer to theoretically optimal by finding a few correct folds, such as undercards with no backdoor draws. Note that you are getting a minimum of 3:1 to call on the flop, which means you need to truly hopeless hand to fold (see Advanced Discussion below); if there's any doubt, lean towards calling.
And if you bet 3x pre-flop, then there's too much money in the pot to fold, as you are getting at least 5:1 to call against a random hand, while the hands you would max-bet (3x) with are stronger anyway.
Note that you should max-bet (5x) any time you are a favorite against a random hand. As such, it's also possible to get closer to optimal by finding additional max-betting (5x) opportunities, as we'll discuss next.
Optimal Betting Frequencies: The Flop
Max-bet (5x): 46.0%
Min-bet (2x): 46.0%
Fold: 8.0%
Advanced Discussion
The Flop strategy was approximated by testing a set of blanket rules, and looking for breaking points -- for example, testing the value of max-betting any flush draw or any gutshot Broadway as blanket rules, and seeing if doing so yields a positive result. This methodology is strong enough to approximate a strategy that a player can use to get down to 1.1% per unit wagered with just a handful of strategy rules.
However, such a method has its limitations, and a poker player using some thought can get better results, both by finding additional max-betting (5x) opportunities and finding folds, or even finding exceptions where min-betting (2x) is correct instead of max-betting (5x).
Max-Betting (5x) vs. Min-Betting (2x)
Let's say, for example, you have A♥Q♦. You bet 3x pre-flop, and the flop comes 4♦3♠2♣, giving you AQ-high with a gutshot. Such a situation was not tested, but if you play poker, you'd have to think there's a decent chance you are a favorite against a random hand. And in fact, a punch through the PokerTracker equity calculator shows that you are a 53%/47% favorite against a random hand here, and thus the correct play is to max-bet (5x).
So that's just one of any number of possible examples where one might find a max-bet (5x) in a one-off situation (alternatively, you can add A-high with a gutshot as a max-bet rule, as even A♥7♦ is a slight 50.2%/49.8% favorite over a random hand on this flop).
Additional Situations
1. Ace-high with gutshot or open-ended straight draw. We saw in the example above that it's generally correct to max-bet (5x) with ace-high with a gutshot, and should be the case with a one-card open-ended straight draw as well.
2. Ace-high (or nut high card) on paired board. It appears to be profitable to max-bet the nut high card on a paired board, which makes sense because it is harder for the dealer to pair one of his hole cards when the board is paired.
3. Higher underpairs. Whether it is correct to max-bet (5x) with an underpair naturally depends on how high or low the underpair is. On a A♠J♦10♣ board, for example, it is correct to max-bet (5x) with 77+, and min-bet (2x) with 22-66.
4. One-Card Flush Draws, Q-high+ (3rd-nut+). On a flush board (monotone) flop, it appears to be correct to max-bet (5x) with queen-high (3rd-nut) flush draw, and min-bet (2x) with a bare jack-high or lower flush draw.
Min-Betting (2x) vs. Max-Betting (5x)
By the same token, the rules for max-betting may not apply across the board. For example, as a general (i.e. basic strategy) rule it is always correct to max-bet (5x) with any open-ended straight draw JT98 or higher. What this means is that if you had to pick whether to either always max-bet (5x) or always min-bet (2x) with the set of hands with an open-ended straight draw JT98 or higher, it is correct to always max-bet (5x).
However, if you are a poker player, you can kind of figure that there are hands contained in that range where you are not a favorite against a random hand, and thus where it is not correct to max-bet (5x).
As an example, let's say you have 8♠4♦. You limp in (call 1x) pre-flop, and the flop comes J♣10♦9♥. By definition, you have an open-ended straight draw JT98 or higher. But if you are a poker player, you recognize that you have two undercards with a one-card draw to the ass end of the open-ended straight draw, and you have to wonder whether max-betting (5x) is still correct.
So you go into the calculator, and it turns out the alarm that went off in your head is justified: You only have 39.4% equity, and thus are better off calling (min-betting 2x) instead of max-betting (5x) in this case.
Folding
As noted, the reason it's so tough to find a fold is because you are getting a minimum of 3:1 to call. Let's say you min-bet (1x) pre-flop.
On the flop, when you wager the minimum two units to call, you are getting:
Thus to call the flop (bet 2x), you are risking two units to win six, and are getting 3:1 at minimum (more if you are drawing at a straight or better, or if you bet 3x pre-flop). What this means is that you only need 25% equity against a random hand in order to be correct to call, and with two cards to come. The latter factor makes it extra hard to find a fold, because you can have nothing and still make a pair and beat a random hand.
And unfortunately, it is difficult to make concrete folding recommendations, as the line between folding and calling is quite gray, as via simulation a lot of the same types of hands that show up as folds also show up as calls. As such, while it is theoretically correct to fold 8% of hands, for practical purposes you will probably find that you are better off folding less often than is theoretically optimal, and calling more often.
On the other hand, I can say with some conviction that:
By way of example, J♠2♣ has 22.6% equity against a random hand on a 9♥7♥4♥ flop, and as such can be folded. On the other hand, Q♠2♣ has 25.1% equity and should be played.
But notice that even though folding J♠2♣ on a 9♥7♥4♥ flop seems to be the correct play, calling here can be at worst a small mistake (in this case a 2.4% mistake). And generally speaking, it's not easy to have significantly worse than 25% equity against a random hand.
Also note that when you're drawing at a straight, you are getting a minimum of 4:1 to call (or at least on the portion of hand value attributable to the straight draw) instead of 3:1, as the Blind and Ante wagers both pay even money for winning straights. And so even a hand as bad as 5♠3♣ has a gutshot on that 9♥7♥4♥ flop but only 23.9% equity -- worse than 3:1 but better than 4:1, and thus probably enough to play on. This also applies to the J♠2♣ hand on a 9♥7♥4♥ flop, as sometimes the player will hit a backdoor straight and win the extra two units on the Blind and Ante, thus getting slightly better than 3:1 to call; this in turn makes calling an even smaller-than-2.4% mistake.
Thus, when in doubt, you should lean towards calling down and bet the 2x minimum on the flop.
Under theoretically optimal play, it is correct to see the flop 100% of the time, max-betting (3x) pre-flop on 49.6% of hands, min-betting (1x) the rest of the time. It is also correct to max-bet (5x) the flop on 46.0% of hands, min-bet (1x) another 46.0% and fold the flop only on 8.0% of hands.
So in contrast to game like Three Card Poker, the game here is not to decide whether to play or fold -- you are going to play everything pre-flop, and showdown all but the crappiest hands. Rather, the game here is to maximize the value of your stronger hands.
All things considered, the basics of strategy are relatively simple: With just a handful of strategy rules, the player can get to an adj. house advantage of about 1.1% per unit wagered -- roughly on par with baccarat -- even without folding; thus, if you can find a few correct folds on the flop, you should be able to get closer to the theoretically optimal figure. The rub is that while the pre-flop strategy is perfectly solved, the flop strategy is not, and so exactly how close you can get to optimal is unclear.
That said, the strategy for Super Texas Hold'em™ should be viewed within the context of two key factors:
- The dealer will play with you with any two cards for any amount no matter how much you bet, and no matter how poor the dealer's hand is.
- On the flop, you already have a minimum of three units in the pot, and are always getting a minimum of 3:1 to call the minimum 2x, with two cards to come -- and against a random hand.
All of which means you need to make sure you bet the crap out of your good hands, and you need to have a completely hopeless hand on the flop to fold.
Pre-Flop
The pre-flop strategy is perfectly solved. Essentially, you should be betting the max (3x) with the top half of hands (49.6% to be exact), and min-betting (1x) everything else.
It is never correct to fold.
1. Max-bet (3x) pre-flop with:
- 22+, Ax, Kx
- Q2s+, Q5o+
- J6s+, J8o+
- T7s+, T9o
- 98s
In English, that's any pair, any ace, any king, any suited queen, Q5-offsuit or better, J6-suited or better, J8-offsuit or better, T7-suited or better, T9-offsuit, and 98-suited.
2. Min-bet (1x) everything else.
Optimal Betting Frequencies: Pre-flop
Max-bet (3x): 49.6%
Min-bet (1x): 50.4%
Fold: Never
Betting the Flop
In contrast to the pre-flop strategy, the flop strategy is not perfectly solved. The line between max-betting (5x) and min-betting (2x) is reasonably well defined (as in not perfect but likely in the general ballpark), while the line between folding and min-betting (2x) is not (there's a lot of gray area).
Here are a few guidelines:
1. Max-Bet (5x) the flop if you catch any piece of the flop (bottom pair or better) or with a big draw. Big draws include:
- Any flush draw
- An open-ended straight draw J-T-9-8 or higher
- Any gutshot Broadway draw, including JT on an A-K-x flop
2. Min-bet (2x) most anything else, meaning all but the most hopeless hands. This includes underpairs (e.g. 22 on a K-9-3 flop).
3. If you bet 3x pre-flop, you should never fold on the flop.
The above strategy is enough to get you down to a house edge of 1.1% per unit wagered, even if you never folded. And so, theoretically, you can get a bit closer to theoretically optimal by finding a few correct folds, such as undercards with no backdoor draws. Note that you are getting a minimum of 3:1 to call on the flop, which means you need to truly hopeless hand to fold (see Advanced Discussion below); if there's any doubt, lean towards calling.
And if you bet 3x pre-flop, then there's too much money in the pot to fold, as you are getting at least 5:1 to call against a random hand, while the hands you would max-bet (3x) with are stronger anyway.
Note that you should max-bet (5x) any time you are a favorite against a random hand. As such, it's also possible to get closer to optimal by finding additional max-betting (5x) opportunities, as we'll discuss next.
Optimal Betting Frequencies: The Flop
Max-bet (5x): 46.0%
Min-bet (2x): 46.0%
Fold: 8.0%
Advanced Discussion
The Flop strategy was approximated by testing a set of blanket rules, and looking for breaking points -- for example, testing the value of max-betting any flush draw or any gutshot Broadway as blanket rules, and seeing if doing so yields a positive result. This methodology is strong enough to approximate a strategy that a player can use to get down to 1.1% per unit wagered with just a handful of strategy rules.
However, such a method has its limitations, and a poker player using some thought can get better results, both by finding additional max-betting (5x) opportunities and finding folds, or even finding exceptions where min-betting (2x) is correct instead of max-betting (5x).
Max-Betting (5x) vs. Min-Betting (2x)
Let's say, for example, you have A♥Q♦. You bet 3x pre-flop, and the flop comes 4♦3♠2♣, giving you AQ-high with a gutshot. Such a situation was not tested, but if you play poker, you'd have to think there's a decent chance you are a favorite against a random hand. And in fact, a punch through the PokerTracker equity calculator shows that you are a 53%/47% favorite against a random hand here, and thus the correct play is to max-bet (5x).
So that's just one of any number of possible examples where one might find a max-bet (5x) in a one-off situation (alternatively, you can add A-high with a gutshot as a max-bet rule, as even A♥7♦ is a slight 50.2%/49.8% favorite over a random hand on this flop).
Additional Situations
1. Ace-high with gutshot or open-ended straight draw. We saw in the example above that it's generally correct to max-bet (5x) with ace-high with a gutshot, and should be the case with a one-card open-ended straight draw as well.
- A♥4♣ on a 7♣6♦5♥ flop (52.0% equity)
2. Ace-high (or nut high card) on paired board. It appears to be profitable to max-bet the nut high card on a paired board, which makes sense because it is harder for the dealer to pair one of his hole cards when the board is paired.
- A♣2♥ on a Q♠Q♦9♣ flop (54.1% equity)
- K♣2♥ on a A♣Q♠Q♦ flop (54.0% equity)
3. Higher underpairs. Whether it is correct to max-bet (5x) with an underpair naturally depends on how high or low the underpair is. On a A♠J♦10♣ board, for example, it is correct to max-bet (5x) with 77+, and min-bet (2x) with 22-66.
- 8♠8♣ on A♠J♦10♣ (55.3% equity)
- 7♠7♣ on A♠J♦10♣ (52.3% equity)
- 6♠6♣ on A♠J♦10♣ (49.3% equity)
4. One-Card Flush Draws, Q-high+ (3rd-nut+). On a flush board (monotone) flop, it appears to be correct to max-bet (5x) with queen-high (3rd-nut) flush draw, and min-bet (2x) with a bare jack-high or lower flush draw.
- Q♣3♦ on 10♣6♣2♣ (53.4%)
- J♣3♦ on 10♣6♣2♣ (49.7%)
- J♣3♦ on A♣6♣2♣ (53.6%)
- 10♣3♦ on A♣6♣2♣ (49.4%)
Min-Betting (2x) vs. Max-Betting (5x)
By the same token, the rules for max-betting may not apply across the board. For example, as a general (i.e. basic strategy) rule it is always correct to max-bet (5x) with any open-ended straight draw JT98 or higher. What this means is that if you had to pick whether to either always max-bet (5x) or always min-bet (2x) with the set of hands with an open-ended straight draw JT98 or higher, it is correct to always max-bet (5x).
However, if you are a poker player, you can kind of figure that there are hands contained in that range where you are not a favorite against a random hand, and thus where it is not correct to max-bet (5x).
As an example, let's say you have 8♠4♦. You limp in (call 1x) pre-flop, and the flop comes J♣10♦9♥. By definition, you have an open-ended straight draw JT98 or higher. But if you are a poker player, you recognize that you have two undercards with a one-card draw to the ass end of the open-ended straight draw, and you have to wonder whether max-betting (5x) is still correct.
So you go into the calculator, and it turns out the alarm that went off in your head is justified: You only have 39.4% equity, and thus are better off calling (min-betting 2x) instead of max-betting (5x) in this case.
Folding
As noted, the reason it's so tough to find a fold is because you are getting a minimum of 3:1 to call. Let's say you min-bet (1x) pre-flop.
On the flop, when you wager the minimum two units to call, you are getting:
- The two units you ante'd to start the game (which don't pay unless you make a straight or better and win) (2 units total)
- The one unit you wagered pre-flop, which pays one unit when you win (2 units total)
- The two units the Flop wager pays when you win (2 units total)
Thus to call the flop (bet 2x), you are risking two units to win six, and are getting 3:1 at minimum (more if you are drawing at a straight or better, or if you bet 3x pre-flop). What this means is that you only need 25% equity against a random hand in order to be correct to call, and with two cards to come. The latter factor makes it extra hard to find a fold, because you can have nothing and still make a pair and beat a random hand.
And unfortunately, it is difficult to make concrete folding recommendations, as the line between folding and calling is quite gray, as via simulation a lot of the same types of hands that show up as folds also show up as calls. As such, while it is theoretically correct to fold 8% of hands, for practical purposes you will probably find that you are better off folding less often than is theoretically optimal, and calling more often.
On the other hand, I can say with some conviction that:
- If you have any hand or draw whatsoever -- even as little as a draw to second pair -- you are not folding.
- You should never fold without at least one undercard.
- You should probably never fold Q-high or better.
- You can safely fold two undercards, unless you have a gutshot (like 43o on a 8-7-6 flop).
- You can fold weaker stuff on a flush board flop (monotone flop) like 9♥7♥4♥, and to some extent straight flops (like 9-8-7), and especially if both a straight and flush are possible (for example 9♥8♥7♥).
By way of example, J♠2♣ has 22.6% equity against a random hand on a 9♥7♥4♥ flop, and as such can be folded. On the other hand, Q♠2♣ has 25.1% equity and should be played.
But notice that even though folding J♠2♣ on a 9♥7♥4♥ flop seems to be the correct play, calling here can be at worst a small mistake (in this case a 2.4% mistake). And generally speaking, it's not easy to have significantly worse than 25% equity against a random hand.
Also note that when you're drawing at a straight, you are getting a minimum of 4:1 to call (or at least on the portion of hand value attributable to the straight draw) instead of 3:1, as the Blind and Ante wagers both pay even money for winning straights. And so even a hand as bad as 5♠3♣ has a gutshot on that 9♥7♥4♥ flop but only 23.9% equity -- worse than 3:1 but better than 4:1, and thus probably enough to play on. This also applies to the J♠2♣ hand on a 9♥7♥4♥ flop, as sometimes the player will hit a backdoor straight and win the extra two units on the Blind and Ante, thus getting slightly better than 3:1 to call; this in turn makes calling an even smaller-than-2.4% mistake.
Thus, when in doubt, you should lean towards calling down and bet the 2x minimum on the flop.